Building construction



L. H. LYON Get. 29, 1935} BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledSept. 14, 1932 INVENTOR Oct. 29, 1935 i LYON 2,019,230

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 14 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 0d. 29, 1935.YON 2,019,230

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 14, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORPatented Oct. 29, 1935 N ITED STATES PATENT OFFIE 16 Claims.

The invention relates to building construction with particular referenceto metal structural members.

An object of this invention is to provide a metal 5 structural member towhich boards, slabs, or panels of any material may be readily andsecurely attached.

A further object of this invention is to provide a metal structuralmember which may possess 10 adequate strength to support a wall, floor,roof or other portion of a structure and which may also be light inweight and easily assembled in the field with other parts to form abuilding or other structure.

15 To these ends the invention comprises a structural member (as hereindefined), which may be made of light gauge metal such as sheet iron,adapted to secure boards, slabs or panels (the word panel when usedherein being intended 20 to designate boards, slabs, panels, blocks orsheets) suitable for forming walls and other sections of buildings orother structures.

The term structural member, as herein used, denotes the totalcombination of metal shapes 25 and cooperating details going to make upthat which when assembled might be described as a composite structuralshape including the various devices functioning to secure parts thereto.

Various embodiments of the invention are il- 30 lustrated in thedrawings in which Fig. l is a plan of an elementary form of structuralmember; Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the form shown in Fig. 1; Figs.3, 4, 5, 6 and '7 are plans of structural members developed from theelemen- 35 tal form shown in Fig. l and illustrating a variety ofabutting metal shapes adapted to secure a plurality of panels; Figs. 8and 9 are plans showing structural members particularly adapted tocertain shallow wall structure; Figs. 10, 11

and 12 are plans illustrating modified arrangements of parts; Figs. 13and 14 illustrate a type of locking means suitable for use in theconstruction shown in Fig. 12 and are respectively an elevation insection and a vertical section; Figs.

15 and 16 illustrate devices suitable for corner constructions forsingle and double walls respectively; Fig. 17 is an isometric view of astructural member showing it partially assembled and incorporated in asection of wall.

50 Figs. 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 show, in plan, structural members invarious forms as applied to wall sections including corners and joinderof walls; Fig. 23 is an elevation in section at the junction of asloping roof member with a ver- 55 tical structural member. Figs. 24, aplan secticn, 25, an elevation, 26, a plan section, and. 2'7, anelevation in section, show methods of making attachment to a structuralmember in order to secure other structural members or building unitsthereto; Fig. 28, an elevation in section, 5

illustrates a method of securing a structural member to a foundation;Figs. 29, an elevation, 30, a detail in elevation, and 32, a plansection, illustrate the attachment of building units such as windows anddoors and their frames to structural members incorporated in a wall;Figs. 31 and 33, vertical sections, show further embodiments of theinvention suitable for window and door sills, jambs and heads and thelike; Figs. 34 and 34A show, in plan, a simplified form of structuralmember. Figs. 35 and 36 are a plan and elevation respectively of acomposite structural member in which metal plates with slotted edges areused as a separating means.

Figs. 37, a plan section, 38, an elevation, and 39, 4

an elevation in section, illustrate the use of a shoe-bolt as a pressureelement.

Fig. 40 is a plan section of a modified form of structural member inwhich a common bolt is used as a pressure element.

Again referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a simple form of thestructural member composed of a metal shape 20 with a floating lockingmember 2| out of which are punched prongs or projections 22 which may beforced into a panel 24 by the insertion of a pressure or wedging element23 between the shape 20 and the locking member 2|.

In the several drawings, which are intended to be purely illustrative,the spaces between elements are exaggerated for the sake of clarity andin practice the parts when assembled would be in close contact with oneanother.

The operation of the prongs 22 is explained by Fig. 2. When panel 24 isfirst placed in shape 20 the pressure element is not in place and theprongs 22 are in a position which does not interfere with the insertionof the panel as shown by the lower of the prongs 22 in Fig. 2. When thepanel 24 has been placed in the position shown in Fig. 1, the prongs 22are forced into it, as shown by the upper prong '22 in Fig. 2, by thepassage of the pressure element 23 from top to bottom of the structuralmember. Infinite modifications may be made in the design of the prongsor projections, without changing the spirit of the invention.

Due to the design of the metal shape 20 and the locking member 2|, it isimpossible for the parts to be separated after the insertion of pressureelement 23. The form of the pressure e1ement may also vary widely, fordifferent forms of structural member and may be short or long and madeof hollow metal tubing or wood or other materials.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 11, inclusive, and 15 to 22, inclusive, andFigs. 24 and 26, it will be apparent that the fundamental form of thestructural member is depicted in Figs. 1 and 2 and that these figuresshow modifications and rearrangements of this fundamental form.

Referring to Fig. 3, a shape 25 having a T section has inserted in itpanels 24, against which and inside the upturned ends 26 of shape 25 areplaced the locking members 2| carrying the prongs 22. The pressureelements 23 are forced into the open spaces between the shape 25 and thelocking members 2| resulting in the whole assembly being securely lockedtogether. It will be noted that any force tending to separate the panels24 from the shapes 25 will cause the members 2| to be drawn against theupturned ends 26, because the prongs 22 are imbedded in the panels 24,thus preventing their removal.

In Fig. 4 the construction is the same as in Fig. 3 except that in placeof two separate locking members 2| there is a single locking member 28which may also have great structural strength and be used as theprincipal support or load carrying member for a building or otherstructure.

In Fig. 5 a locking member 29 is shown which is useful as a spacer andmay be used with wall boards to construct two-walled panels beforedelivery tothe field. It is shown as used in conjunction with the shapes26 illustrated also in Fig. 1.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 17, illustrating the same form of construction,a double wall section formed of inner and outer panels 24 is supportedand locked in place by a structural member. This structural member isformed of two metal shapes 25 of T section and two load carrying members29. Punched out of the latter are prongs 22. These shapes 29 serve thedual function of providing means for locking the panels 24 and ofspacing the walls apart. To complete the structural member and cause theprongs 22 to be pressed into the panels 24 the pressure elements 23 areforced down into the spaces between the shapes 25 and the shapes 29. Thelocking function is performed in the same manner as in the arrangementillustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 by causing the prongs 22 to be forced intothe panels 24 by the wedge action of the pressure element 23 pressingagainst the shape 25.

Figs. '7, 8 and 9 show embodiments in which modified metal shapes suchas 39, 3| and 32 are used. In Figs. '7 and 8 the locking members 2| arethe same as heretofore described. In Fig. 9 a modified locking member 34is shown which has two angles instead of one and may be used with amodified shape 32 as illustrated. This is especially useful for shallowwalls and makes it possible to reduce the number of necessary pressureelements.

Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate a modification in which a metal shape such as40 or 4| is used and so formed as to provide the other elements forsecuring panels thereto already explained.

Figs. 15 and 16 illustrate how parts of the invention may be applied toform joints between panels set at an angle to one another, for formingthe corners of buildings for example. Metal shapes such as shape 50 andshape 5| are so formed as to receive the panels in the desired position,locking members 52 or 53 adapted to cooperate in the described mannerare placed in position and pressure elements 23 and 54 of suitable shapeto fit in the openings between the shapes are driven in after theinsertion of the panels, thereby locking them. 5

Figs. 18 through 22 show modifications of devices already described alloperating on the same principle and are arranged to show how a build ingmay be assembled from the structural members and panels. Special mouldedshapes may 10 be used to give a rounded shape to corners, for example,the corner pieces 56 and 51. These may be clamped at their edges in thesame manner as plain panels. Figs. 18 and 19 illustrate how partitionsmay be secured to the walls. In the 15 case of Fig. 18 the metal shape60 is so formed as to provide an integral external bracket 62 which isadapted to receive and hold the edges of partition panels in the sameposition as previously described. Fig. 19 shows the use of a separateex- 20 ternal bracket 6| so formed as to operate in the previouslydescribed fashion in cooperation with panels and designed to grasp theouter web of the metal shape of the main structural member.

The operation of the various equivalents of the locking member 2| andpressure element 23 with relation to the metal shape 20 and the panel24, all as shown in Fig. l, is similar in effect when use is made of anyof the forms shown in Figs. 1 to 22, inclusive, and Figs. 24 and 26. Inthe case of the form depicted in Fig. 12 there is a condensation ofdesign and the prongs 44 are part of and stamped from the metal shape 43and are forced into the panel 24 by an internal pressure element 45,with the result that the separate locking members 2| shown elsewhere maybe omitted and one pressure element can be made to force prongs intofour panels simultaneously.

Figs. 34 and 34A show the same modified metal shape 63 which combineswithin itself an integral locking member 65 and integral pressureelement 61. It will be observed that when the panel 24 is forced intothe channel in the shape 63 the integral pressure element 6! will, byreason of its relation to locking member 65, force said locking member65 against the panel 24. The pressure may be increased if desired byinserting a separate pressure element 23 in the channel behind theintegral locking member 65 as shown in Fig. 34A and if desired prongs 22may be punched out of the integral locking member 65 as in the otherforms.

Fig. 24 illustrates a composite form of structural member consisting ofa plurality of the simple form of member shown in Fig. 1 in which theshapes 2!] composing the composite structural member are held togetherby pins 81 in such manner that a uniform space is preserved between themetal shapes 20.

Figs. 35 and 36 illustrate the use of a metal plate 9| as a separatingmeansin place of pins 8'! to hold the metal shapes 63 in spacedrelationship. Fig. 36 shows the slotted edges of the metal plateseparating means 9| adapted to engage with projections 92 of abuttingstructural 65 parts. The several webs may all or any of them be soslotted and any of the many structural parts may be provided withappropriate projections.

Figs. 24 and 2'? illustrate how floor beams 83 may be secured to uprightstructural members by suitable means such as the bracket 85 having thetongue 86 held by the pins 81. Pins 81 shown in Fig. 24 may be alsoutilized as the supporting pins 81. illustrated in Fig. 27. With pins8'! at frequent intervals between opposing elements of a structuralmember of the type depicted in Fig. 24, brackets as 85 may be hookedinto place at any point desired.

Partitions may be secured to walls as shown in Fig. 26 by placing thepartition panels 24 in a fixture 89 which may be locked into structuralmembers with tongues 93 which fit over pins 81. The panels 24 may beheld within the fixture 89 by means of locking members 34 and thepressure element 23 as explained in connection with the fundamental formof the structural member shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 23 shows how sloping roof member 93 may be joined to a verticalstructural member of the form shown in Fig. 24 by means of web 94 whichmay be placed between opposing elements of the structural member andsupported by a pin 3?. The inner end 95 of the web 94 may be bent at anangle so as to engage the slot between the elements which runs parallelto the building wall.

Figs. 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33 show methods of attaching door and windowframes to the form of structural member shown in Fig. 24. As shown inFigs. 29, 30 and 32 tongues 93 on the frames 3'3 and 98 engage theseparating pins 81. Fig. 31 is a section through the head of the windowframe 93; Fig. 32 is a plan section through the jamb of the same windowframe 98 and Fig. 33 is a section through the sill of said window frame98. The device 33 pictured in Figs. 31 and 33 when in place operates inconjunction with the adjoining portions of the window head and sill soas to hold panels between opposing portions I and IElI of the metal onthe same principle as shown in Fig. 34 in which the looking member 65corresponds to the portion I I10 as shown in Figs. 31 and 33. The device99 may be separate or manufactured as an integral part of the windowframe or other structural part.

Figs. 37, 38 and 39 illustrate a form of modified structural member inwhich a metal shape 934 is used which in effect is an I section havingtwo central webs in place of one. The shoebolt I35 is inserted throughopenings in the two webs so that a burr I06 occupies a positionintermediate between said webs. The bolt is provided with shoes Ill! oneach end which are shown with their longest dimensions turned at rightangles to the wall panels, but which may be rotated 90 degrees to aposition as shown by the dotted lines in Figs. 38 and 39, so that thelongest dimension is parallel to the wall panels. When the shoes ofshoe-bolt I65 are rotated from a. position parallel to the wall panelsto a position at right angles as shown in Figs. 37 and 39, pressure isexerted upon the locking elements 34 so that they are forced out againstthe panels 24, so holding them between said locking means and the outerweb of said metal shape H34. In Fig. 38, an elevation, the face of themetal shape I04 is shown provided with an opening I 09 in the center ofthe outer web thereof, through which a wrench may be inserted to graspthe burr I06 and rotate said shoe-bolt as above described.

In Fig. 40 a form of structural member is shown in which metal shapesIII are used in conjunction with another metal shape III, acting asspacer and locking means as described in the form of locking means 29shown in Figs. 6 and 1'7. The shapes I I 3 and I I I are separate partswhich do not engage each other until drawn together by the bolt H2. Thebolt H2 is used as a pressure element to propel the shapes IIO inward soas to lock the panels 24 between their outer webs and the locking meansIII. The outer webs of the shapes I I0 may be provided with depressionsas shown around the openings for the bolt H2, so that the head H and theburr II 4 will not 5 protrude outside of the faces of said shapes IIO.

Spaces between fireproof panels may be filled with various availabletypes of fireproof insulating material such as rock wool, to furnish acompletely fireproof construction.

If nailing facilities or provision for hanging heavy fixtures, such asbathroom and kitchen fixtures, are desired in addition to the mainstructural members, supplemental structural members may be appropriatelyplaced within the panels and fastening means may be used through thepanels into such supplemental members.

While the application refers to metal structural members various othermaterials such as wood or highly compressed asbestos or paper may proveto be suitable for all or part of the structural members.

The structural members may be fabricated in a variety of differentmanners. The metal shapes which make up the various structural membersmay be bent and stamped from sheet metal or drawn or rolled. Theseparate metal shapes may be permanently combined where appropriate bymeans of welding, seaming, riveting, etc. The shapes for small buildingconstruction will be of sufiicient strength when made of relativelylight weight metal and when so fabricated will be easily altered inthefield with ordinary metal workers tools. The principles of theinvention may be appropriately employed however in heavy construction.

The hollow portions of the various forms of structural members may befilled with concrete after erected where great strength is desired.

When structures have been assembled by the use of the inventionadditional rigidity may be obtained to the extent desired by the use ofspotwelding at points where metal touches metal.

It is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the inventionto the specific forms disclosed as the foregoing illustrations show onlyseveral of the many possible embodiments of the invention, and manypossible variations of the embodiments illustrated may be within thespirit of this invention.

I claim:

1. A structural member having spaced portions defining, a channeladapted to receive the edge of a panel, a movable member disposed withinthe channel for securing said panel thereto, and means slidablelongitudinally of the channel for moving said locking member intoengagement with the panel.

2. A structural member having spaced portions defining, a channeladapted to receive the edge of a panel, means integral with one of saidportions for securing said panel in said channel, and

'means slidable longitudinally of the channel for causing said firstnamed means to engage the panel. 7

3. A structural member including spaced portions defining, a channeladapted to receive the edge of a panel, a locking member disposed withinsaid channel, prongs on said locking member, and means for forcing saidprongs against said panel.

4. A structural member including channels adapted to respectivelyreceive panels, means involving a plurality of prongs associated witheach of said channels, and means for causing said prongs'and panels tobe forced one against the other, whereby said panels may be secured insaid channels.

5. A structural member including spaced portions defining a channeladapted to receive a panel, and means disposed within the channel inoverlapping relation to one face of the panel, said means having prongsengageable with said face of the panel for securing the panel within thechannel.

6. A structuralmember including spaced portions defining a channeladapted to receive a panel, and means adapted to be interposed betweenone of said portions and the panel for securing the panel within thechannel, said means having offset portions adapted to be forcibly movedinto engagement with the panel.

7. A structural member including spaced portions defining a channeladapted to receive a panel, and means disposed within and extendinglongitudinally of the channel having portions engageable with the panelfor securing the latter within the channel, said channel having portionscooperable with said means for preventing lateral movement thereof.

8. A structural member having a channel adapted to receive a panel, saidchannel including spaced walls and a web connecting said walls, one ofsaid walls having an ofiset portion spaced from the web and meansdisposed between said ofiset portion and the web having portionsengageable with the panel for securing the latter within the channel.

9. A structural member having a channel adapted to receive a panel, saidchannel including spaced walls and a Web connecting said walls, andmeans disposed within the channel for securing the panel thereto, saidmeans involving an angularly shaped member having a portion adapted tooverlap one face of the panel and a portion extending outwardlytherefrom, one of said Walls having an offset portion adapted to bedisposed in overlapping relation to the outer face of the outwardlyextending portion of said member.

10. A structural member including a load carrying member, and aplurality of channel-shaped members respectively adapted to receivepanels, said load carrying member having portions re- *spectivelyextending into said channels, each of said portions having meansengageable with the adjacent panel for securing the latter within thechannel.

11. A structural member including oppositely arranged channels forrespectively receiving panels, and a load carrying member havingportions respectively extending into said channels adapted to cooperatewith the panels for securing the latter within the channels.

12. A structural member including laterally spaced channels forrespectively receiving panels, and a load carrying member extendingbetweeen said channels for maintaining the latter in spaced relation,said load carrying member having portions respectively extending intosaid channels adapted to cooperate with the panels for securing thelatter therein.

13. A structural member having spaced portions adapted to receive apanel and to be disposed in overlapping relation with opposite sides ofthe panel, said member also having means movable into engagement withone of said sides of the panel for securing the latter within saidspaced portions.

14. A structural member including spaced portions defining a channeladapted to receive a panel, prongs associated with the channel forsecuring the panel within the channel, and means movable longitudinallyof the channel for moving said prongs into engagement with the panel.

15. A structural member including laterally spaced portions defining achannel adapted to receive a panel, one of said portions beingintegrally provided with offset prongs adapted to be moved intoengagement with the panel after the latter has been disposed within thechannel for securing the panel therein.

16. A structural member comprising two laterally spaced rigidlyconnected channels respectively adapted to receive panels, saidstructural member being provided with prongs for seeming the panelswithin the channel, and means movable longitudinally of the channels inthe space between the latter for moving said prongs into engagement withthe panels to secure the panels within the channels.

LELAND HUBBELL LYON.

